Lint roller/brush assembly

ABSTRACT

A lint/pet hair roller assembly includes a body supporting a tubular adhesive lint remover roll. The assembly includes a handle and a roll support. The roller support includes a cross-member transversely mounted on the handle and carrying a pair of outwardly extending legs. Roll support members are fixed or rotatably carried on the legs for supporting a lint roll. The legs, in one aspect, are moveably mounted in the cross-member and biased to a normal first spacing to support a lint roll, but extendable outward for movement of the lint roll relative to the legs. In another aspect, a telescoping lint roll support is normally biased to an extended position to support the lint roll, but is collapsible for movement of the support relative to the legs. Alternately, a dispenser is carried on the handle for dispensing fluid from a storage chamber. Alternately, an additional cleaning element is carried on the support.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/329,717, filed on Dec. 26, 2002, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein in its entirety, which claims the benefitof the priority filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSerial No. 60/426,589, filed Nov. 15, 2002, and is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/302,038, filed Nov. 22, 2002, whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/143,396filed May 10, 2002.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a lint roller assembly.

There are many previously known lint roller assemblies. These previouslyknown lint roller assemblies typically comprise a handle secured to acylindrical lint roller support. A tubular cylindrical adhesive lintroller is then removably mounted to the support such that the adhesiveroller is rotatively relative to the handle. In use, the adhesive lintroller is rolled along a surface to remove unsightly particles, lint,pet hair, etc.

The previously known lint roller assemblies have used a number ofdifferent options to rotatively secure the lint roller support to thehandle. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,923, the lint roller supportand handle are separately constructed and then rotatively securedtogether. One disadvantage of this type of previously known lint rollerassembly, however, is that the rotatively connection between the handleand lint roller support is subject to mechanical failure.

A further disadvantage to this type of assembly is that both the lintroller support and the handle are separately molded from plastic andthen assembled together requiring two separate molds, one for each part.

Still other types of lint roller assemblies, such as that disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,055,695, the lint roller handle includes a pair ofelongated housing parts, which are substantially identical to eachother. A disadvantage to this type of assembly is that each housing partmust be snapped exactly into the other perfectly registering using pinsand sockets. A further disadvantage is that the handle section beingintegral to the support section is manufactured with rigid plasticmaterial and uncomfortable to grip and does not provide for a customizedplastic decorative top or hanger.

Still other types of previously known lint roller assemblies, such asthat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,5577,0111, utilize a unitary lintroller handle and lint roller support. These previously known lintroller assemblies, however, require a complex and, therefore, expensivemold design in order to mold the lint roller handle and support.Furthermore, a relatively large frictional engagement between the lintroller and the lint roller support often times interferes with thedesired free rotation of the lint roller about the lint roller support.Further, it does not provide for mounting a directional lint brushfabric under the rotatable tape roll.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a lint roller assembly which overcomes all ofthe deficiencies of the previously known lint roller art.

In one aspect, the lint roller apparatus or assembly of the presentinvention includes a handle and a lint roll support. The support is inthe form of a cross-member extending transversely from the handle. Firstand second lint roll support members including legs extend from thecross-member and are adapted for receiving and supporting a lint rolltherebetween. The lint roll supports or bearing surfaces are fixedly ormoveably mounted to the legs.

In one aspect, lint roll supports or bearing surfaces are fixedly ormoveably mounted to the legs.

In one aspect, the legs are moveably disposed relative to thecross-member and are coupled by a biasing member which normally biasesthe legs to a first dimension spacing for supporting a lint rolltherebetween. At least one of the legs at a time may be expandedlaterally outward from the opposite leg to allow. insertion or removalof a lint roll between the legs.

In another aspect, a tubular lint roll support is formed of first andsecond telescopingly expandable and retractable end portions. A biasingmember is carried within the first and second end portions and normallybiases the first and second end portions outward to a first dimensionallength. The first and second ends may be retracted or compressed towardeach other to allow insertion or removal of a lint roll between thelegs.

The apparatus of the present invention provides added functionality inlint and other debris removal operations by providing multiple cleaningsurfaces or elements in a single tool. Each cleaning element is usableseparately so as to enable most types of dirt, lint, debris, etc., to beeffectively removed from various surfaces, fabric, clothes, furniture,animals, etc.

In another aspect, a liquid storage chamber is formed in the body. Adispenser means is disposed in fluid communication with the liquidstorage chamber for dispensing liquid from the body to assist incleaning operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present inventionwill become more apparent by referring to the following detaileddescription and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of the presentapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another aspect of a cleaning apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the cleaning apparatus shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial, perspective view of a portion of the cleaningapparatus shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged, exploded view of the cap mountable on theend of the handle of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial, exploded view showing an alternateextension handle mountable in the handle of the cleaning apparatus shownin FIGS. 3-5;

FIG. 8 is a partial, exploded view showing the mounting of a depressabledispenser cap on the handle of the cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS.3-5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another aspect of the cleaning apparatusaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the cleaning apparatus shown inFIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of another aspect of thecleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the various lint rollers described hereafter, a tape roll 30, is anycommercially available tape roll having outwardly facing adhesive sheetsor strips, generally arranged in a plurality of sheets wound in a rollwherein the outermost sheets are peelable from the roll, one at a time,along perforated edges of each sheet. When the roll 30 is mounted on asupport, the roll 30 may freely rotate under applied force to removelint, pet hair, and other debris from surfaces, such as clothes,furniture, or other fabrics.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is depicted yet one aspect of thepresent lint roller/brush apparatus denoted generally by referencenumber 400. The apparatus 400 includes a body which may be integrallyformed, such as from a blow molded plastic, or assembled of individualcomponents fixedly joined together into unitary structure by heat orsonic welding, fasteners, etc.

The apparatus 400 includes an elongated handle 402 which has anergonomic shape for easy hand gripping. Alternately, the handle 402 maybe formed with a hollow interior chamber suitable for receiving acleaning liquid. A dispenser, such as a push top or trigger type may bemounted on the end of the handle 402 to dispense cleaning liquid fromthe handle 402.

A further optional adaptation is the provision of snap or screwtogether, threaded connections on the end of the handle 402 forconnection to an elongated handle or handle extension, not shown, toenable the apparatus 400 to be conveniently used to clean floors, walls,ceilings, or other hard to reach surfaces.

The handle 402 transitions into a cross-member formed of two cross arms404 and 406 which extend laterally in opposite directions from the endof the handle 402. The arms 404 and 406 terminate in angularly disposedlegs 408 and 410, respectively. A pair of generally circular supports412 and 414 extend axially inward from the legs 408 and 410,respectively, and rotatably fit within the inner diameter of the lintroll 30 which can be snapped over the supports 412 and 414 for insertionor removal from the apparatus 400.

In this aspect, an additional cleaning element in the form of a squeegee420 is fixedly mounted in the arms 404 and 408 and projects angularlytherefrom as shown in FIG. 26. The squeegee 420 has a blade-like shapeformed of a resilient, flexible material terminating in one or morepointed edges 322 which, when dragged across the surface, is and arecapable of pulling embedded hairs from fabric.

One aspect of a cleaning apparatus 440 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 3-6. In this aspect, the cleaning apparatus440 includes a body which may be integrally formed, such as from ablow-molded plastic or assembled of individual components fixedlyjointed together into a unitary structure by heat or sonic welding,fasteners, adhesive, etc. The body is preferably formed of onemonolithic piece utilizing materials, such as polyethylene, PET,polyvinyl chloride or similar thermoplastic materials.

The apparatus 440 includes an elongated handle 442 which has anergonomic shape for easy hand gripping. Resilient inserts 444 may bemounted on the exterior of the handle 442 for a comfortable and securehand grip.

An end cap 446 is applied to one end 448 of the handle 442. Although aconical shaped end cap 446 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, it will beunderstood that the end cap 446 may take any other shape, including acylindrical shape or an aesthetic,. decorative shape.

The end cap 446 has an externally threaded shank 450 extending from anenlarged end portion 452. The external threads 454 on the shank 450threadingly engage internal threads 456 in a bore 458 extending inwardfrom the second end 448 of handle 442. The threads 454 and 456 enablethe cap 446 to be removably attachable to the handle 442, for reasonswhich will become apparent hereafter.

Although the cap 446 has been described as being removably attachable tothe handle 442, it will be understood that the cap 446 may benon-removably attached by means of a press-fit, adhesive or integralmolding with the handle 442.

As also shown in FIG. 6, the handle 446 is provided with an aperture 460which can have a closed periphery or a discontinuous periphery toprovide a hanger feature for the end cap 446 and the remainder of theattached cleaning apparatus 440.

Referring briefly to FIG. 7, there is depicted an extension handle 470having an externally threaded end 472 which is removably engagable withthe threads 456 in the bore 458 on the second end 448 of the handle 442after the end cap 446 has been removed from the handle 442. Theextension handle 470 enables the cleaning apparatus 440 to function as acleaning device to remove debris from a floor or other surface beyondthe normal arm reach of the user.

It will be understood that the extension rod 470 can also be attached tothe handle 442 by press-fit, interlocking projections and grooves, or byother releaseable attachment means.

Referring briefly to FIG. 8, there is depicted another aspect of thecleaning apparatus 440 which provides a cleaning liquid dispersionfunction for the cleaning apparatus 440. In this aspect of theinvention, a modified handle 442′ has a reduced diameter portionadjacent the second end 448. The periphery of the reduced diameterportion of the handle 442′ is externally threaded as shown by threads474. A hollow bore 476 extends through the handle 442 to an internalchamber within the handle 442 which is capable of storing cleaningliquid.

A conventional fluid dispenser in the form of an interiorly threaded cap480 having a displaceable button 482 biased away from the end of the cap480 by an internally mounted biasing means or coil spring 484 isprovided for attachment to the handle 442′. A hollow stem 486 extendsthrough and out of the cap 480 and supports a fluid conduit 488 whichextends into the chamber in the handle 442′. The other end of the fluidconduit 488 is fluidically coupled to a fluid outlet or nozzle 490mounted in the depressable button 482. Depression of the button 482 willcause fluid to be drawn through the conduit 488 and dispensed throughthe outlet or nozzle 490.

Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle 442 transitions into a lintroll support, including a cross-member 492. The cross-member 492,although generally formed of one piece, has two arms 494 and 496 whichproject laterally and oppositely outward from one end of the handle 442.A pair of roll support assemblies 500 and 502 are mounted on the arms494 and 496, preferably with at least one and preferably both of thesupport arm assemblies 500 and 502 being moveably mounted in the armportions 494 and 496 of the cross-member 492.

Since the support assemblies 500 and 502 are substantially identicallyconstructed, the following description of the support assembly 500 willbe understood to apply equally to the construction and operation of thesupport assembly 502.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the support assembly 500 includes a leg 504which depends from a tubular slider or channel member 506. The leg 504and the channel member 506 may be integrally constructed as a one pieceplastic member or formed of two members fixedly joined together byfasteners, adhesive, sonic or heat welding, etc. The channel member 506is moveably disposed within the hollow interior of the arm 494 of thecross-member 492, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the support assembly 502 includes a similarlyconstructed leg 508 which is fixedly joined to a slider or channelmember 510. The channel member 510 is moveably disposed within the arm496 of the cross-member 492.

A pin 512 projects from one end of the channel members 506 and 510. Abiasing means, such as a coil spring 514, is connected between the pins512 on the channel members 506 and 508 and functions to bias the supportassemblies 500 and 502 inward toward each other. In this position, whichis shown in solid in FIGS. 3 and 4, the legs 504 and 508 are disposedimmediately adjacent the ends of the arm portions 494 and 496 of thecross-member 492. Open ended slots may be formed in the ends of the arms494 and 496 to enable the legs 504 and 508 to fit within the ends of thearms 494 and 496 as shown in solid in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The biasing force exerted by the spring 514 holding the supportassemblies 500 and 502 together at a first spacing sized to support alint roll 516 between the legs 504 and 508 can be overcome by lateraloutward force exerted on at least one of the legs 504 and 508 in adirection pulling the one or both legs 504 and 508 outward from the endof the associated arm 494 and. 496 to a position shown in phantom inFIG. 4. Although it is only necessary to pull one of the supportassemblies 500 and 502 laterally outward to a second spacing withrespect to the opposed support assembly 500 and 502 to enable removaland/or mounting of a lint roll 516 to the support assemblies 500 and502, as described hereafter, both of the support assemblies 500 and 502can be laterally urged outward to the expanded position shown in phantomin FIG. 4.

Release of the laterally outward directed force on the supportassemblies 500 and/or 502 will enable the biasing spring 524 to pull theone or both support assemblies 500 and 502 back toward the closetogether, inward position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, bearing surfaces in the form ofgenerally circular members 524 and 526 are fixed or rotatably mounted onone end of the legs 504 and 508, respectively. Each member 524 and 526has a first outer diameter circular rim 528 which extends from onesurface of a larger diameter end wall 530. The end wall 530 abuts theend of the lint roll 516 as shown in FIG. 4, with the end portions ofthe lint roll 516 resting on the outer diameter of the circular runs528.

An annular disk 532 is centrally carried on each end wall 530 within thecircular wall 528. An aperture is formed in the disk 532 and receivesresilient latch members 534 which are spaced apart on one end of a stem536 integrally joined to and extending from one end of the leg 504 orthe leg 508. The ends of the latch members 534 extend outward from thestem 536 to form an end projection which snaps over the inner wall ofthe annular disk 532 to latch the circular supports 524 and 526 to thelegs 504 and 506, respectively;

The above-described connection defines a rotatable connection allowingthe circular members 524 and 526 to rotate along with the lint roll 516mounted thereon as the lint roll 516 is forcibly urged across a surfaceto be cleaned.

Finally, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, cleaning apparatus 40 includes anadditional cleaning element 540 which is mounted in the cross-member 492and projects outward therefrom. The additional cleaning element 540 canbe one of a number of different cleaning elements used to provide anadded cleaning capability to the cleaning apparatus 440. Thus, althoughthe cleaning element 540 is depicted as being in the form of a resilientsqueegee having one or more blades formed of a resilient, flexiblematerial, each terminating in a pointed edge which, when dragged acrossa surface, is capable of pulling embedded hairs from fabric the cleaningelement 540 can take other forms, such as a premoistened wipe strip(s),rotatable crumb pickers, etc. The cleaning element 540 is removablymountable in the cross-member 492 such as by a slide-in fit as shown inFIG. 3. Other types of releasable connections, including fasteners, ormore permanent connections, such as through the use of adhesive ormechanical fasteners, may also be employed to mount the cleaning element540 in the cross-member 492. The cleaning element can also be fixed inthe cross-member 492.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is depicted another aspect of acleaning apparatus 550 which is substantially similar to the cleaningapparatus 440 except for the mounting of the circular lint roll supports552 and 554 to the ends of the legs 556 and 558, respectively, of across-member 560 mounted transversely at one end of a handle 562. Anadditional cleaning element, such a squeegee 564, by example only, canalso be mounted in the cross-member 560.

In this aspect, each leg 556 and 558 terminates in a generally circularbase 561. A slot 563 is formed in each base 561 and can be closed by asnap-in cover 565. The slots 563 provide access to at least one andpreferably a pair of fasteners, such as screws 566 which fixedly engagethe circular bases 561 to fix the bases 561 to the legs 556 and 558.

The fasteners 566 extend into inward extending projections 568 whichproject inwardly from an inner wall of each circular support 552 and554. An outer peripheral surface 570 of each circular support 552 and554 acts as a bearing surface for a lint roller 572 which can berotatably mounted thereover.

Finally, another aspect of a cleaning apparatus 600 according to thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 11. The cleaning apparatus 600 sharesmany of the same features as the cleaning apparatus 440 and 550 in thatit includes a handle 602 which has an end cap 604 mounted at one end anda laterally extending cross-member 606 at an opposite end. A cleaningelement 608, such as a squeegee, may optionally be mounted in thecross-member 606.

A pair of legs 610 and 612 extend from opposite ends of the cross-member606 and terminate in enlarged bases 614 and 616. A recess 618 extendsaxially inwardly partially through each circular base 614 and 616. Aninner circumferential surface of each recess 618 acts as a bearingsurface for an outwardly extending projection 620 of a cylindricalshaped member 621 telescopingly disposed over a second cylindricalmember 624. A similar bearing surface 620 is formed on the outer end ofthe second member 624. The members 621 and 624 form a lint roll supporttube 622 on which a lint roll 630 is placed.

An internally disposed biasing means, such as a coil spring 626, isdisposed between the ends of the members 621 and 624 and biases the endsof the members 621 and 624 outward, but enables the overall length ofthe support tube 622 to be shortened to allow the tube 622 to beinserted between the bases 614 and 616 of the cleaning apparatus 600 toremove or install a lint roll 630 between the leg 610 and 612 of thecleaning apparatus 600.

In summary, there has been disclosed numerous aspects of a combinationlint roll/brush apparatus which is useful in efficiently removing dirt,debris, embedded hair, from fabrics and other surfaces. The apparatuscombines several cleaning elements into a single apparatus therebyaffording many different cleaning uses with a single apparatus. Thisenables different types of debris to be successfully removed fromfabrics, furniture,,clothing, and other surfaces by choosing one or moreof the different cleaning elements in a single cleaning operation.

1. A lint roller apparatus comprising: a body having a handle and asupport portion, the support portion receiving a particle removingmaterial; and the support portion including a support element extendingfrom the handle and first and second supports adapted for receiving andsupporting a lint roll carrier therebetween, the first and secondsupports extending from the support element; wherein said lint rollcarrier has first and second extendable ends.
 2. (canceled)
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1: wherein each said support includes a leg extendingfrom said support element.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled) 7.(canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. (canceled) 12.(canceled)
 13. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the legs are fixedlymounted at either end of said support element.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said lint roll carrier comprises: a lint roll supporttube for carrying the a lint roll, the lint roll support tube havingsaid first and second extendable ends; biasing means, carried within thelint roll support tube, and normally biasing said first and second endsretractably outward with respect to each other.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14 further comprising: projections extending outwardly from thefirst and second ends; a recess formed in each said leg for defining abearing surface for one of said projections in order to rotatably mountthe lint roll support tube between the legs.
 16. The apparatus of claim3 further comprising: the lint roll carrier carrying a lint roll;biasing means, carried within the lint roll carrier, and normallybiasing said first and second ends retractably outward with respect toeach other.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:projections extending outwardly from the first and second ends; a recessin each leg for defining a bearing surface for one of said projectionsIn order to rotatably mount the lint roll carrier between the legs. 18.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an end cap affixed to oneend of the handle.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The apparatus of claim 18 whereinthe end cap comprises: a hanger portion for mounting the apparatus on asupport.
 21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein: the end cap is removablymounted to the handle.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the body isa one piece, monolithic body.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled) 25.(canceled)
 26. (canceled)
 27. (canceled)
 28. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising: an additional cleaning element carried on thesupport element.
 29. (canceled)
 30. (canceled)
 31. The apparatus ofclaim 28, wherein the additional cleaning element is selected from thegroup consisting of a squeegee, wipe strip and crumb picker.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 28, wherein the additional cleaning element isremovably mounted to the support element.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32,wherein the cleaning element is removably mounted by means of a slide-infit.
 34. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises afirst body having said first extendible end and a second body havingsaid second extendible end, said first body telescopingly disposed oversaid second body.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said biasingmeans is disposed between the ends of said first and second bodies fornormally biasing the first and second ends retractably outward withrespect to each other.
 36. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each saidfirst and second support is formed with a recess for selectivelyreceiving said first and second extendible ends of said lint rollcarrier.